Platform-independent programmable batch processing engine

Abstract

A data processing system includes a multitude of client computers and server computers, of various platform types, interconnected by a network. A batch processing engine permits an application resident on a client computer to specify processing to be performed by one or more of the computers connected to the network, regardless of the platform type of such computers. The batch processing engine is implemented in part by middleware.

1. A batch processing engine comprising:
 a design tool subsystem operable on a first computer and configured to generate, based on user input, first specifications for a batch application; 
 at least one database subsystem configured to provide access for the batch application to a database comprising data to be used by the batch application; 
 a specification server subsystem separate from the at least one database subsystem and configured to store the first specifications; 
 a processing subsystem configured to execute the batch application based on the first specifications; and 
 a middleware subsystem configured to communicate the first specifications within the batch processing engine; 
 wherein the processing subsystem comprises a first processing subsystem executing on the first computer and a second processing subsystem executing on a server computer, and wherein a user is provided an option to choose whether the batch application should execute on the first processing system or on the second processing system. 
 
     
     
       2. The batch processing engine of  claim 1  wherein the design tool subsystem is configured to generate a template based on the first specifications and wherein the specification server subsystem is configured to store the template. 
     
     
       3. The batch processing engine of  claim 2  further comprising another design tool subsystem configured to generate, based on the template, second specifications for the batch application. 
     
     
       4. The batch processing engine of  claim 3  further comprising another processing subsystem configured to execute the batch application based on the second specifications. 
     
     
       5. The batch processing engine of  claim 1  wherein the batch application comprises a report application. 
     
     
       6. The batch processing engine of  claim 1  further comprising a middleware an input subsystem configured to perform input functions for the batch application. 
     
     
       7. The batch processing engine of  claim 1  further comprising a middleware an output subsystem configured to perform output functions for the batch application. 
     
     
       8. The batch processing engine of  claim 7 , wherein the middleware output subsystem is configured to route an output data stream to one of a plurality of output devices and convert the data stream to a format suitable thereto. 
     
     
       9. The batch processing engine of  claim 1  wherein the middleware subsystem is configured to communicate the first specifications from the design tool subsystem to the specification server subsystem. 
     
     
       10. The batch processing engine of  claim 1  wherein the middleware subsystem is configured to communicate the first specifications from the specification server subsystem to the processing subsystem. 
     
     
       11. A method of operating a batch processing engine, the method comprising:
 in a design tool subsystem operable on a first computer, generating, based on user input, first specifications for a batch application; 
 storing the first specifications in a specification server subsystem; 
 in a processing subsystem operable on the first computer or a server computer, executing the batch application based on the first specifications, wherein executing the batch application comprises interacting with at least one database server via a database subsystem, and wherein the at least one database is separate from the specification server subsystem; and 
 communicating the first specifications within the batch processing engine using a middleware subsystem subsystem; and 
 allowing a user to select whether the batch application should execute on the first computer or on the second computer. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 in the design tool subsystem, generating a template based on the first specifications; and 
 storing the template in the specification server subsystem. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising in another design tool subsystem, generating second specifications for the batch application based on the template. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  further comprising in another processing subsystem, executing the batch application based on the second specifications. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11  wherein the batch application comprises a report application. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11  further comprising in an a middleware input subsystem, performing input functions for the batch application. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11  further comprising in an a middleware output subsystem, performing output functions for the batch application. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11  further comprising in a the database subsystem, providing access for the batch application to a database. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 11  further comprising communicating the first specifications from the design tool subsystem to the specification server subsystem. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 11  further comprising communicating the first specifications from the specification server subsystem to the processing subsystem.